The Anubis Gate biography - from the early beginning till now
THE OLD DAYS:
In 1984 Jesper M. Jensen (bass) and Henrik Fevre (guitar, vocals) formed their first metal outfit together called V-axe. The original drummer was soon replaced by Per M. Jensen (drums, vocals), who already played with Henrik in the guitar/drums duo Black Mercyful.
The name soon changed to Graff Spee and some local gigs were played, mostly original material like "Violent killer", "Death axe" and "Realm of impossibility". Graff Spee got some attention in local papers and in the Danish HM magazine Hot Rockin', first and foremost for being the youngest HM band around (average age was 12). Some demos were made and sent around, but naturally the band was way too young and inexperienced to make records, although this was the main target from the very beginning. In 1986 the band split both as a band and as friends, mainly because Henrik wanted to pursue other musical influences far from heavy.
Jesper and Per stuck together and in 1987 they started up the local heavy metal band Extreme Feedback, which included both Morten Sørensen (vocals - later on he began playing the drums) and Kim Olesen (guitar).
In 1989 Per and Jesper then went onto thrash metal band Invocator, with whom they released a couple of demo's as well as the worldwide well-received album "Excursion Demise", year 1991.
After having been in Invocator till the early nineties, Jesper returned to Aalborg in Northern Denmark, where joined the rap-metal act Geronimo, in which also Morten played. Geronimo released a mini CD in 1995. And the band split up.
ANUBIS GATE COMES TO LIFE:
Morten and Jesper kept the contact, and began to write new matrial. In the melodic heavy metal style, with proggy/power metal sound to it. They recorded a demo, and needed extra members for a band.
An appropriate singer was found in Torben Askholm, who had been a part of the Danish metal scene for many years, first with the thrash metal act Prophets Of Doom (released an album in 1989) and then with the progressive metal band Northern Empire (two demos in the early nineties).
When the band had enough material for a full length album, they decided to visit Hansen Studio's in Denmark, under the guidance of producer extra-ordinaire Jacob Hansen (actually ex-band mate of Jesper's from the Invocator days), who among others have produced such well respected bands as Ill disposed, Ancient, Falconer, Mercenary, Wuthering Heights and Manticora.
The production is clean and upfront, and all instruments are nicely separated in the mix. It is a real heavy metal production, fitting for a release like this. On the debut album, "Purification", Kim Olesen guests on guitars and keyboards, while Henrik Fevre is responsible for the harmony vocals. The production took place in the summer of 2003, and the last parts (harmony vocals, extra guitars, better mix …) were added in December '03.
Lyrically, "Purification", is a loosely based concept album about fighting inner demons, and cleansing on a psychological level. This goes very well together with the band name, as Anubis was the jackal-God in the ancient Egyptian mythology that lead the misguided dead souls through the Underworld and into the kingdom of Osiris.
In the fall of 2003 Anubis Gate hooked up with Danish based Intromental Management for the promotion of their album, and by early November a deal was signed with the Spanish/German label Locomotive Music for the European and North American release of "Purification", which happened in late spring 2004.
THE SECOND ALBUM:
After an incredible interest from the media and fantastic fan response, Anubis Gate began writing material for the follow-up to "Purification", incorporating both Kim (guitars) and Henrik (bass/backing vocals) as permanent members of the band.
Once again Anubis Gate chose Jacob Hansen as the producer for the album. The studio got booked for the winter of 2004/2005, and this time for a longer period, giving the new songs what they really deserve.
The material composed for "A Perfect Forever" is more varied, in tempo and overall. It is a natural step, still Anubis Gate, but more interesting for the listener, and shows more skills.
"A Perfect Forever" - the 2nd album, was released on September 19th 2005, once again with a grandiose production from Jacob Hansen. With an even more mature and ultimate melodic songwriting, an album set to light a massive fire in the hearts of all metal fans.
In the fall of 2005 Torben suffered from a temporary loss of his voice, which forced him to drop out of the planned gigs, at which Henrik took over vocal duties, while playing the bass as well, including a succesful gig at ProgPower Europe Festival taking place in Holland.
ANUBIS MOVING FORWARD:
Around the end of 2005 a choice was made to find a new vocalist, a job that proved quite easy considering that producer and longtime friend Jacob Hansen volonteered right away to make the band a demo with him singing on it. Shortly after Jacob was confirmed as the new singer of Anubis Gate.
During 2006 the band recorded their third album, "Andromeda Unchained", which saw the band moving in new directions - still with a foundation of classic heavy metal, this time around they also began incorporating more progressive parts and a surprising sci-fi concept.
In the spring of 2007 a new deal was signed with Locomotive Music, and the release of "Andromeda Unchained" was being set for summer 2007.
THE MUSIC OF ANUBIS GATE:
Stylistically Anubis Gate is conglomeration of the classic 80's heavy metal, a more epic 90's ambience and a dark progressiveness of our days. You could describe is as metal with beautiful soundscapes, cool riffing, and a clear and powerful vocal performance.
Musical inspirations for Anubis Gate are such acts as Queensryche, Iron Maiden, Lord Bane, Tad Morose, Iced Earth, Crimson Glory, Fates Warning, King Crimson, Genesis & Savatage, although it's important to stress that the band really doesn't sound like anyone else.
Information on the musicians in the band
Jesper M. Jensen - click on his name to read more about guitarist Jesper ...
Morten Søresen - click on his name to read more about drummer Morten ...
Kim Olesen - click on his name to read more about guitarist Kim ...
Henrik Fevre - click on his name to read more about bassist Henrik ...
Jacob Hansen - click on his name to read more about vocalist Jacob ...
What's your name: Jesper M. Jensen
Born: 1972
What's your civil profession/education: I'm free, no normal stress
Are you married: No
Do you have any kids: No
Which instrument do you play in Anubis Gate: Guitars, bass on recordings
Do you play other instruments: A little drums
How many years have you been playing your main instrument: 20
Which bands have you played with before Anubis Gate: Extreme Feedback, Geronimo & Invocator
Have you released other albums before Anubis Gate? Yes
Which: Bass on Invocator "Excursion demise" debut album, 1991. Guitars & bas on Geronimo "Peace to the chief" debut mcd, 1995
What's your favorite bands: Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Iron Maiden, a lot prog and power metal bands
Your 5 favorite albums of all time: Pink Floyd "Division bell" & "Pulse", King Crimson: ALL:Tango Orkestret: ALL: Black Sabbath "Tÿr", Iron maiden "Somewhere in time"
Your favorite food: Mex & italian food, hot & spicy food
Your favorite drink: Milk, coca cola and beer
Any hobbies besides the music: Friends, family, Internet, spiritual life
Funniest moment in your life: Too many :-)
Most embarrassing moment in your life: Too many :-)
Biggest hope for your musical future: Making more music.
What's your name: Morten Sørensen
Born: 1970
What's your civil profession/education: Landlord
Are you married: Yes, to Sandra
Do you have any kids: A son Lukas, 4 years old
Which instrument do you play in Anubis Gate: Drums
Do you play other instruments: Air guitar
How many years have you been playing your main instrument: 22(on and off)
Which bands have you played with before Anubis Gate: Extreme Feedback, Unicorn, Spaxtiq Zznååth, Geronimo
Have you released other albums before Anubis Gate? Yes
Which: "Peace to the chief" ,Geronimo 1995
What's your favorite bands: Queensryche,Crimson Glory,Savatage,Maiden,Priest,Vicious Rumors,Heir Apparent,Evergrey,Lord Bane,Lethal…..And about a thousand other great metal bands.
Your 5 favorite albums of all time: Crimson Glory:Transcendence,Queensryche:Rage for order,Lord Bane:Age of elegance,Maiden:Somewhere/7th.son,Savatage:Ghost in the ruins…not really fair just to mention 5 is it?There are so many great and important albums…!
Your favorite food: Beer
Your favorite drink: Beer
Any hobbies besides the music: Beer
Funniest moment in your life: Too numeruos to mention!
Most embarrassing moment in your life: Appearing on local tvshow!
Biggest hope for your musical future: A 3rd Anubis Gate album.
What's your name: Kim Olesen. (And yeah, in Denmark Kim is a boys name)
Born: 1973
What's your civil profession/education: I am a guitarist of education. I majored in guitarplaying (jazz) . I took my education from the conservatoire of music. For a living i play gigs and teach guitar.
Are you married: Not quite.
Do you have any kids: I am a stepfather.
Which instrument do you play in Anubis Gate: Guitars and synthesizers.
Do you play other instruments: I'm a pretty good bassplayer and can get by on drums. I used to play the flute as well but haven't done so in a while (sadly 'cause i liked playing it).
How many years have you been playing your main instrument: 23 years. At the age of 12 i began playing professionally (meaning getting paid for playing). My first pro gig was a wedding party.
Which bands have you played with before Anubis Gate: Camden, Extreme Feedback and lots of others. Including gigs with some wellknown danish artists such as Alberte, Sascha Dupont, Dorthe Kollo ,Kim Sjøgren, etc....
Have you released other albums before Anubis Gate? Yes.
Which: Camden released 2 albums "Ground Zero" and "The Interstate" (which i produced). The Interstate had some minor radiohits on it. I did an album with "Ordentlige Folk" some years ago. Recently i played guitar on "DJ Bailars" version of Bakerstreet ,which was a real hit, making it into the top ten in the singles chart. And very recently i played synths on german metal band "Fear My Thoughts" latest release "Hell Sweet Hell". (There have been some other minor releases as well).
What's your favorite bands: Genesis, Beatles, King Crimson, Iron Maiden, Kraftwerk, Megadeth, Jethro Tull.
Your 5 favorite albums of all time: Tough one ;-) Well in no particular order: Somewhere In Time - Iron Maiden, Computerwelt - Kraftwerk, Revolver - Beatles, A Trick Of The Tail - Genesis, Voivod - Dimension Hatröss
Your favorite food: Any italian food (as long as it hasn't got fish or any other hideous sea creatures in it).
Your favorite drink: Coca Cola light.
Any hobbies besides the music: Not really.
Funniest moment in your life: Seeing "Life Of Brian" for the first time. I was 15 years and had to leave the cinema for 10 minutes because i laughed so much.
Most embarrassing moment in your life: Too embarrasing to spread on the web;-)
Biggest hope for your musical future: Artistic fullfilment.
What's your name: Henrik Fevre
Born: 1972
What's your civil profession/education: Musician/music teacher
Are you married: No
Do you have any kids: 1 daughter
Which instrument do you play in Anubis Gate: Vocals (mostly harmony) and bass guitar
Do you play other instruments: Guitar, keyboards
How many years have you been playing your main instrument: I've been singing since birth really. Got serious about it around '84.
Which bands have you played with before Anubis Gate: Besides the early ones mentioned in the Bio, I played in a group called Heyday, which in a span of 10 years ('90-'99) played pop with various genres involved; prog. rock, acid-jazz, funk, jazz and dance. After that I started on my own.
Have you released other albums before Anubis Gate? Yes
Which: In 2002 I released an album as a solo artist, called Seasons of a soul, which is kind of pop with a lot of different moods and influences from both jazz, new age and contemporary classical music.
What's your favorite bands: Metalwise: Early Queensryche, Vanden Plas, Pagan's mind & Opeth. Otherwise acts like David Sylvian, Prefab Sprout, Pat Metheny Group, Mew & The Blue Nile.
Your 5 favorite albums of all time: David Sylvian "Brilliant trees", Prefab Sprout "Steve McQueen", Maurice Duruflé "Requiem, opus 9", Donald Fagen "The nightfly" & Elvis Costello/Burt Bacharach "Painted from memory" (no particular order).
Your favorite food: Chateau de Briand
Your favorite drink: Cool coke on a hot summer day
Any hobbies besides the music: Not really
Funniest moment in your life: First rehearsal with AG. It was 20 years since Jesper and I played together, only this time the roles were switched. I used to be the leader, playing guitar, writing riffs, with Jesper on the bass. It's topsyturvydom.
Most embarrassing moment in your life: Luckily I can't remember (or won't).
Biggest hope for your musical future: To change peoples lives through music.
What's your name: Jacob Hansen
Born: 1970
What's your civil profession/education: Studio manager, engineer, producer
Are you married: Yes
Do you have any kids: 3 girls - Liva (1), Mikkeline (4) and Cecilia (6)
Which instrument do you play in Anubis Gate: Vocals and probably some guitars here and there
Do you play other instruments: Well, I'd say I get by on many instruments, but I'm not really great at any
How many years have you been playing your main instrument: I have been singing (singing notes - not screaming) since 2002. Guitars s ince '86, which is embarrassing considering how bad I am...
Which bands have you played with before Anubis Gate: Invocator, Maceration, Beyond Twilight
Have you released other albums before Anubis Gate? Yes
Which: Invocator - 5 albums, Maceration - 1 album, Beyond Twilight - 2 albums
What's your favorite bands: King's X, Lost Horizon, Fates Warning ('till "Inside Out"), Crimson Glory, Queensryche, Soilwork etc. Non-metal: Stina Nordenstam, Elvis Costello, Jellyfish, Joseph Arthur.
Your 5 favorite albums of all time: King's X - Dogman, Fates Warning - Parallels, Jellyfish - Spilt Milk, Stina Nordenstam - And She Closed Her Eyes..., Lost Horizon - A Flames To The Ground Beneath
Your favorite food: Thai, or just well-prepared, non-fast food
Your favorite drink: Before having kids; Scotch & soda, after kids - Tchai Tee and Coffee - shitloads of coffee!
Any hobbies besides the music: Studiogear, shopping
Funniest moment in your life: There are so many, and most of them include my former bandmate Perle
Most embarrassing moment in your life: There are so many. I sometimes feel I have a big mouth and a pea-sized brain